There was no shortage of drama in the first round of rearranged fixtures in the National Leagues as both National One and National Two North delivered some intriguing results.
Over the last couple of the weeks, the focus in National Two North has switched between the promotion race and the fight for survival, but in Round 23, the spotlight is on both.
Sale FC will look to remain on top of National Two North this weekend by securing their fourteenth straight victory when they take the short journey to Macclesfield.
Sale FC went to the summit of National Two North in Round 20 following their victory over fellow promotion candidates Hinckley and now the league leaders face another test of their credentials.
Sale FC secured their twelfth consecutive win to move clear at the summit of National Two North as they came out on top against promotion rivals Hinckley.
The front runners in National Two North both secured victories in Round 19 ahead of their top of the table clash this coming weekend, but there was also a major story at the wrong end of the table.
Disappointment may not be an option for sides battling for survival in National Two North this Saturday as two of the bottom four face one another in what could prove to be a vital weekend in the season.
In some sports, the winter months can define the outcome of a season and in National Two North, January is the time of year which may well shape the battle for a top two spot.
The first weekend of 2018 focuses on teams fighting to beat the drop in National Two North and with only 12 points separating the bottom six, a winning habit must be found for teams at the wrong end of the table.
As expected with the final round of fixtures before the Christmas break, there are some tasty looking in National Two North as teams look to end the calendar year on a high.
After a few postponements concerning games at the wrong end of the table, there is another clash right around the corner between two sides battling for survival as Luctonians face Otley in National Two North.